Aiming high

Timepass collected a whopping Rs. 37 crore in 100 days, the highest-ever in Marathi cinema. The elated film-maker Ravi Jadhav, however, remains humble and grounded inspite of being the only Marathi director who has four films that have broken records at the box-office

Ravi Jadhav

It is quite an achievement as all your four films were blockbusters.

It is just my luck. I am happy about that as I come from a middle-class family with no background in films. When I decided to make films, and was looking for a story, I came across a novel titled Natarang on Ganpat Patil, the actor who has played a nachya (a man who behaves like a woman) in most Marathi films in the earlier days. He has even won the National Award. Thus Natarang, the film, marked the beginning of my journey into cinema.

As for Timepass, during its making, did you ever feel it would be a blockbuster considering there were no known faces in the lead?

Timepass was born out of a common situation, of a young boy falling in love with a girl. I added comedy which worked majorly in favour of the film that did not have a star. Both the actors are practically newcomers. The dialogues have become a runaway hit like the film which is quite amazing. What is heartening is that people are identifying with the film. Timepass was made on a budget of Rs. 1.5 crore and amazingly, it went on to collect Rs.37 crore, the highest ever so far in Marathi cinema. It is a huge, huge blockbuster having even surpassed Sanjay Jadhav’s Duniyadari which had collected Rs. 25 crore. And Timepass is still running housefull at many theatres.
However, I did have a feeling that Timepass would do better than my earlier films because it told the story of common people and common situations. However, I had never assumed that it would be my biggest ever hit.

What is your criteria for selecting a story for a film? And making it a hit?

There is no formula for a hit; I choose a subject that is simple and identifiable. I take common situations from my personal experience and from people close to me. I don’t believe in sticking to one genre. I want to make films of different genres and that is what I have managed to do so far. And I will continue doing what I think will impress my audience.

How did Natarang, your first film, happen?

Like I said, it was based on Ganpat Patil’s story. The story was dark and without any scope for songs and dance. Marathi is rich in culture and literature, but films made on these stories do not really do well as they are not commercially viable. So, I decided that if my films have to work, I will not compromise. Today the songs of Natarang have reached worldwide. The lavni dance was revived and I bagged my first National Award for Best Feature Film in Marathi and the film, with Atul Kulkarni in the lead, went on to win more than 100 awards. It also ran for 100 days and did a business of Rs. 10 crore. That was a big boost for me…

…Boost to make Balgandharva, is it?

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Yes. And Balgandharva again had a dark story. It was a musical biography and I attempted to make the songs through dialogue which was liked by all. With Subodh Bhave playing the title role, the film ran for 100 days and collected Rs.6 crore. This film won four National Awards.

You also attempted a forbidden subject with Balak Palak.

I had heard about a 12-year old becoming pregnant in some place abroad. Since we have been blindly following the western ways, I thought it would not be long before this happens in India too. Hence, I came up with the story of Balak Palak, which dealt with sex education among children. It was a very delicate subject yet we dealt with it carefully without showing any vulgarity. It was shot so aesthetically that both children as well as their parents loved it. The content was so strong that the film did a business of around Rs.14 crore and ran for 100 days.

What is next?

I am foraying into Hindi films with Eros International’s Banjo. It is about a banjo player and rest of the details are still under wraps.

Celebrates glorious 100 days (Timepass record)

* Highest first weekend collection : Rs. 6.5 crore

* Highest first week collection : Rs.13.5 crore

*Highest number of releases in theatres : 400

*Highest shows in a week : 9500

*Highest Marathi box-office grosser ever : Rs. 37 crore (as on April 16, 2014)

Actor Vijay Raghavendra turns director with Kismath

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National Award winning actor Vijay Raghavendra (of Kotreshi Kanasu fame), and the winner of the first season of the Kannada version of the reality show Bigg Boss, makes his debut as a director. The Kannada film titled Kismath is produced by his wife Spandana Vijay under the banner of Spandana Srishhti.
Talking about the project, first-time producer Spandana said, “It was actually an experience of a higher responsibility as it was the first time I was handling something like this. Also watching Vijay direct for the first time was a treat. My only concern was that he might have undergone more stress as he was acting in the film too. It is not easy to direct as well as act, but he did it very well.”
The film was launched on November 15, 2013 and shot completely in Bangalore. The shooting of Kismath is complete and it is in post-production stage. Starring Vijay Raghavendra, Sangeetha Bhat, Nandan Gopal, Sunder Raj, Dileep Raj, Naveen Krishna and others, it is set for an August release. Cinematography by Rajesh Yadav, editing by Deepu S Kumar and music by Rajesh Murugeshan are the major credits.